gonna be building ar15

[tylerb]

Well im gonna be building a couple of ar15s for me and the little lady. First one im gonna build standard .223 but customize the accessories. Gotta make sure she's comfortable shooting .223 and if she isn't I will make aless powerful one for her.

Anyways. I will be picking up atleast the first superior arms lower this weekend. Might pick up an upper. Gonna get both of them stripped and buy parts kits. I know it is harder to go this way but I want to know the gun in and out.

What else should I look into?

If I save enough on assembly ill probably get a real eotech on atleast one of them. If not then there will be primary arms sights on both.

[csementuh]

Hello.

Do lots of research to find the parts or types of parts you want. If you don't want to put that effort into it, seriously consider buying a good AR off the shelf. You can still learn the gun inside and out, but it will aleviate a ton of headaches.


What is your price range for each by the way? Include price range of single rifle, then budget for optics, mags, etc. AR's aren't cheap, so it's good to know what you're getting yourself into.

[tylerb]

I want to be < 500 before mags and optics.

I also would like to find an upper preanodizing so I can do silver or a color anodizing.

Idk anything about uppers but I want to do this as a project and learning to do it for the future.

But for the moment we can discuss lower parts kits. What's the most cost effective one? Ill order from.you if you have a good price lol. The only thing I want to do.local is the lower just to avoid BS ffl fees and bull♠♠♠♠.

Also if its easier for you you can email or text me. I dont abuse talking privileges
tbarrfow@gmail.com
2054476999

[csementuh]

To be completely honest with you, your budget is unreasonable in a 5.56 AR-15. You would be better served with a $400 .22LR AR-15 clone, upping your budget, or buying pieces as you have the money and see fit. The $500 AR went away in the 90's unfortunately.

Even the most basic of AR's such as a DPMS Panther Sportical that is extremely stripped down costs over $6XX DEALER price. Tack on shipping and insurance and some sorta profit and you are very hard pressed to find it cheaper than $7XX. Even the Del-Ton rifles, which are budget guns are $750 plus shipping. The guns just aren't that cheap, and markups on low end guns in general just isn't that good. If you're buying a high end $3K 1911, there's a little wiggle room, but there is next to nothing on lower end guns. Literally $15-30 if you are lucky, and shipping eats that to nothing most of the time.

In all honesty, I know I couldn't build a basic M4 type rifle for <$500, and that is dealer discounts on parts. I could get close if I skimped on quality, but not quite there.

Building a 'basic' AR and thinking you are saving money is another misnomer. If you are building something highend and custom, then yes you can save if you play your cards right. Buying a lower end model already assembled will save you the money. AR's take a small amount of tools to build a lower, and some more specialized tools (and some know-how) to build an upper, so it's certainly not worth investing in for 1 or 2 builds.

Let's price it out:

Easy Build:
Basic AR-15 Stripped Lower Reciever: $100 after you pay transfer fees or buy from a shop. Most lowers are this price point.
Lower Parts Kit: $55
Stock Assembly: $50
We are already over 1/3 of your budget and approaching 1/2 of it...
Half Decent Pre-Built Upper: $400+
You have no sights except for a front....
Rear Sight: Magpul MBUS $55
Total: $605, and that is being very generous.

Let's spec out a full build with decent parts:
Basic AR-15 Stripped Lower Reciever: $100
Lower Parts Kit: $60
Stock Assembly: $60
Half Decent Pre-Built Upper: $500+
Rear Sight: Magpul MBUS $55
Total: $775, and again that is being a little generous.

For either. You have no mags, no good sights, no ammo, and a basic carbine build. A 'pretty good' AR can be had for around $750 I'd say. Around the $1000 price point is where you get to very nice quality. Then from there the sky's the limit.

Del-Ton sells rifle kits for $465, and includes all of the pieces except for the stripped lower. So add on ~$100 takes you to $565. You also still have no rear sight. Add on $55. You're at $620 out the door. Still need mags and stuff. This kits are also not chrome lined unless you want to pay $45 to upgrade. They don't offer the optimal barrel twists. The parts are nothing special. I can get the Del-Ton kits for $10 cheaper after shipping, but it's something.

The other important thing to remember is that with AR's there are a TON of options and that each one costs $$$, so it makes sense to do it right the first time, and build something you actually like.

I don't generally sell to people out of state unless it's something I have in stock, or there is enough markup that I can even pay to ship it to me, then to your dealer, and break even. I will gladly sell you parts though, that is easier. I have PMags, MBUS, etc in stock.

Good luck. If you find stuff you like, research it first, and then post up questions in the gun thread asking for advice. Many of us have been around this stuff long enough to know what's good and what sucks.

[ac66bronco]

^^^ what you know about ak's? ^^^

[csementuh]

^^^ what you know about ak's? ^^^

A good amount. Don't derail this guy's thread though. If you have general questions ask them in the gun enthusiast thread or PM me.

[ac66bronco]

wasnt going to just wanted to know if you knew

back on topic.

[tylerb]

That 500 number was just a number I threw out there because you asked for one. I want to build them so I can customize as I go. Like I said these will be Bling and range guns.

So what lower parts kit do you say will be most cost effective. I have the stripped lower already sourced.

Also what upper do you recommend? I do want this gun to be accurate.

And that's what I meant was to buy the accessories and parts from you. I don't want to deal with ffl BS unless im getting a steal.

I will buy the tools aswell its not about building one cheaper than I can buy one. Its just that I can do it in stages and as I have money. I can see the upper is gonna be the point that gets me in the wallet department.

I appreciate your input and all and I have decided thar building is what I want to do. I JUST was wondering what parts are cost effective. I don't want bad quality parts. But I dont need top of the line yet. Ill build 2 if I decide I don't like it I will sell the tools and have 2 guns I can say I built.

I hope you dont take this as disrespecting you in any way because I am hearing you and u.derstanding what you are saying. But im not trying to beat prices. I just want to do it. What special tools are required for the lower? I have no problem with a preassembled upper except for the fact I want to try to find a raw aluminum one that hasn't been anodized so that I can anodize it to my desire.

Black guns are cool but im a color person. I want something that not many others have.

[Omnigear]

does the price listed include guestimate shipping? =p
shipping can add up

[tylerb]

Yea I know :/

Ill order as much as I can at one time.

[USMCFieldMP]

Should have just posted in the Firearms thread (Firearms Talk) instead of making a whole new thread. Already a lot of info there, too. csementuh will point you in the right direction though.

[TTMR]

We just ordered the parts for a friends AR, he found a built lower for 180 and we spent almost another 600 on a medium quality collection of parts for the upper.

[tylerb]

What specs should I look at for barrels? May be selling my laptop and will have a good amount of funds available.

So what contour and twist and all I want it as short as legally possible so 16" right? And what other specs do I need to know and what's best.

[csementuh]

This is a very good primer on all of the basics of AR-15's. Please read it in entirety.

http://forums.officer.com/showthread...y-an-AR-15-huh

It would not be practical to try and explain all of the different parts available to you. There are litterally thousands of manufacturers of AR parts in the US. For good quality stick with known good brands. Find the parts you want with the specs you want and go from there. Also a lot of AR-15 parts are about looks, while others are about functionality. It would help if you browsed pictures and showed us one that you like so we can tell you what parts they are, and where to get them. Do you want a tricked out gun, or a basic looking M4 carbine?

You can find raw castings of upper and lowers, but it will be hard to find the receivers fully machine 'in the white' without the annodizing. The annodizing is what gives the aluminum it's strength, and the gun will not last without the proper annodizing that cannot be done at home. If you want color, but the receivers finished, and then have then duracoated or something.

There are two ways to build an AR. Pick a price and see what fits in, or pick a list of parts that you have to have and go from there. It's a touch decision sometimes. There are simply to many combos for me or anyone to recommend stuff for.

I like Daniel Defense, Noveske, LMT, Troy, Magpul, POF, LaRue, Spike's Tactical, etc.

You may be better off buying a basic carbine and accessorizing it. It's still 'building an AR'.

To answer some of your questions real quick. Yes 16" is legal length without being a short barreled rifle. 1x7 twist, 5.56 chamber, government profile, chrome lined is best. Cold hammer forged is nice, but it eats up a lot of your budget.

I can get you a nice comeplete M4 Spike's 16" upper with plain handguards for $500 out the door shipped, and then you can just get whatever lower and stock you want. Your most cost efficient way is to buy a complete upper the first time. Hell then buy the tools, take it apart, and put it back together again.

[ac66bronco]

Honestly If I where to even consider building an AR (not knowing anything about them other than $$$$) Id save up at least 1200 for a nice build and sweet optics probably even closer to 1500.

[tylerb]

Ok im gonna read your link and cone back with better more specific questions. Probably going to just buy the complete upper. Like you suggested.

Still want to build the lower from a stripped lower and parts kit. Just to give me some bored time project.

In the but stock im lost as to what stocks work with which buffer tunes and I know I want and adjusting stock so me and the girl can shoot it comfortably.

This wont be my last im sure tho. so many options I want to try and different Calibers.

[csementuh]

Building the lower is fine and it just takes patience, a small hammer, some roll pin punches, and some pliers maybe. It's nothing too difficult.

Buying the upper would be a wise choice.

Stocks are all personal opinion. Pick what you think looks cool. Magpul is always a solid choice, as are the Sopmod stocks. Decide what you want, and I'll tell you which buffer tube, spring, buffer, etc, and maybe even find you a better deal on it.

[csementuh]

For reference, I'm doing a build right now for a guy on CSS.net. It's a nicer build with some features such as Magpul ACS stock, MOE grip, YHM quad rail, Spike's SD-1 fake can (for the suppressed look), chrome 1x7 16" barrel, lower parts, 2 PMAGs, etc. No junk parts. $880 shipped to him. He has his own lower so factor another $100 there, plus he has sights to stick on it. Nice gun with a lot of features for less than $1000 out the door. You can do around $700- $800 pretty easy with more basic hardware.

Good luck with your hunt. If you find anything you want in particular LMK what it is any I'll see if I can get a deal on it for you.

[TTMR]

Just put together the upper for my friend, nice light and simple, standard mil spec flat top reciever, YHM quad rail free float tube in mid length to tuck the low pro gas block on the 16in chromed pencil barrel fed by a spikes BCG. He has a set of magpul flip sights until he gets his optic.